This past holiday season, 黑料不打烊 Stage patrons donated over $29,000 for organizations providing support for people living with HIV or AIDS. This marks a record-breaking figure for the annual campaign in 黑料不打烊, an effort coordinated by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS at theaters across the nation. In 21 years of the campaign at 黑料不打烊 Stage, audience members have donated over $337,000 for this cause.
David Lowenstein (as Edna) poses with patrons in the lobby as Kyle Anderson (Corny Collins) takes a photo. Photo by Michael Davis.
Collections will be divided among three organizations鈥 Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and two local organizations鈥攖he DePalmer House and the Pediatric AIDS Unit at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Leading the efforts were cast members of “Hairspray,” a co-production between 黑料不打烊 Stage and 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Department of Drama. After each performance, cast members were stationed in the lobby to greet patrons, sign posters and take pictures. Mark David Kaplan, an Equity cast member and alumnus of 黑料不打烊 Department of Drama, led many of the appeals with a speech after the final bows.
鈥淭o our amazing audience members that gave so much, thank you for your care and support. We are overwhelmed by your passionate generosity,鈥 said Kaplan. 鈥淗aving collected for this cause for the better part of two and half decades, it is encouraging to see people of all ages and different life experiences spring forward in service. I couldn鈥檛 be more thrilled to have been part of this effort, this cast and the Central New York community.鈥
In addition to donating toward Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, “Hairspray” patrons donated non-perishable food items that will stock the pantry at Grace Episcopal Church, and over 150 winter coats, hats and gloves that been given to the students and families at Franklin Elementary School in the 黑料不打烊 City School District.
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